Jonathan Trott says Strauss and Swann will beat stomach bug

Jonathan Trott is confident England skipper
Andrew Strauss and key spinner Graeme Swann will be fit for Thursday’s must-win final Group B game with West Indies, despite the duo suffering from a stomach bug.

In form: England’s Jonathan Trott (AFP/Getty)

An England spokesman indicated the pair are expected to have recovered by Wednesday – and certainly in time to face the Windies in Chennai.

Similar hopes were dashed, though, earlier in this tournament when Stuart Broad , who later had to fly home because of a side strain, was forced to miss England’s defeat against Ireland with tummy trouble.

But Trott, who has also felt unwell in recent days, is sure Strauss and Swann will take to the field for a match England must win to have any chance of reaching the quarter-finals.

‘I’m pretty confident they will be all right. These things are normally 24 or 48 hours,’ he said. Trott also made it clear he will not be changing his no-frills batting style.

The No.3 has been a constant in setting and chasing targets, and if tomorrow’s pitch resembles the awkward one on which England beat South Africa at the same venue nine days ago, his contribution could well be key again. Trott has made four fifties in five matches, yet has attracted criticism for what some see as dour and one-dimensional accumulation.

‘People are entitled to their own judgement,’ added the batsman.

‘I work hard with [coach] Andy Flower, so his opinion is more important to me than what others say.’

Trott has made himself unique among England batsmen by making the most one-day international runs – 1,147 – without ever hitting a six.

The 29-year-old can clear the ropes, though, as he has proved both for England and Warwickshire in Twenty20 cricket.

‘Have you not watched me play T20?’ Trott answered in response to a question about his lack of sixes. ‘They’re big fields at Edgbaston.’

West Indies, meanwhile, are optimistic opener Chris Gayle will play despite a recent abdominal strain.

Team-mate Kieron Pollard said: ‘He’s coming along well. We should have a full 15 to choose from.’